Animated track diagram for railway systems



Jan. 2, 1934. H. o. SNYDER ANIMATED TRACK DIAGRAM FOR RAILWAY SYSTEMS 2 sheets sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1930 Tu m? IT! TA: nv at 1 3 hm Jan. 2, 1934. H. o. SNYDER ANIMATED TRACK DIAGRAM FOR RAILWAY SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 5, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 2, 1934 UNlTED STATES ANIMATED TRACK DIAGRAM FOR RAILWAY SYSTEMS Howard 0. Snyder, Lima, N. Y., assignor to General Railway Signal Company, Rochester,

Application August 5, 1930. Serial No. 473,229

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a miniature track layout for railway systems, on which tokens representing trains may move through slots representing tracks, these train tokens being propelled automatically in accordance with actual traffic conditions, and which system is conveniently called an animated track diagram for railway systems.

On railway systems where trains are controlled from a distant point, and also in hump yard systems where individual cars are controlled from a distant tower, it is difficult for the operator or dispatcher to visualize, or picture in his mind, the actual location at all times of all of the cars or trains, as the case may be. In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to reproduce on a miniature scale the location of each train, or car, on a miniature track model, by a token, which token is preferably numbered to correspond to the train or car, and in the case of a centralized traffic controlling system as distinguished from a hump yard system, this miniature train token also preferably carries an arrow or a suitable identification number for indicating the direction the train is moving. In agcordance with the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated these miniature trains or tokens comprise small non-magnetic metal tabs to each of which is fastened a soft iron armature, which tabs are preferably moved step by step through the medium of a series of magnets which are successively energized and deenergized.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present invention will in part be apparent from the accompanying drawings and will in part be more particularly described hereinafter.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1A illustrates a typical portion of the apparatus located in the central ofiice;

Fig. 1B illustrates a corresponding portion of the apparatus along the railway track;

Fig. 2 illustrates a sectional elevation of the miniature track layout, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4, as viewed in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 shows the miniature train or token in perspective; and

Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged portion of the miniature track layout, shown in Fig. 1A.

Structure Referring to Fig. 1B of the drawings the reference character 10 designates the rails of the main track, whereas the reference character 11 detector track sections of a railway system, of

which one detector track section includes a track relay DT and a battery 13, and the detector track circuit at the east end of the passing siding includes a track relay DT and a track battery 14. At the east end of the passing siding PS are provided a main starting signal 2 governing movement of trains from the main track into the single track section 0, a dwarf signal 2 for governing movement of trains'off of .the side track into the single track section 0, a main entering signal 1 for governing west bound movement of trains from the single track section 0 into the main track of the passing siding PS, and a take-siding signal -1 for governing movement of traffic from the single track section 0 into the side track of the passing siding PS. The west end of the passing siding PS is similarly provided with starting signals 7 and 7 an entering signal 8 and a take siding signal 8 Also, the track switch S at the west end of the passing siding PS is preferably operated by a switch machine SM, whereas the track switch S at the east end of the passing siding PS is preferably operated by a switch machine SM The signals 1, 1 2 and 2 are preferablycontrolled by the signal relay SR and the direction relay DB the switch machine SM is preferably controlled by the switch machine relay SW the signals 7, 7 8 and 8 are preferably controlled by the signal relay SR and the direction relay DR, and the switch machine SM is preferably controlled by the switch machine relay SW, all through the medium of circuits and contacts controlled by these relays and contacts located within the switch machine, as clearly shown in the prior application of S. N. Wight Ser. No. 321,185, filed November 22, 1928, and as conventionally illustrated by dotted lines 3, 4,5 and 6.

In the central office, or control office is provided a suitable miniature track lay-out, of which only a portion, namely that portion corresponding to the passing siding PS, and constituting the miniature passing siding 108, has been shown. This miniaturetrack lay-out includes a base plate 20 (see Fig. 2) constructed of suitable non-magnetic material, such as aluminum or brass, having grooves cut into the same comprising a main track groove 20 and a side track groove 20 The groove 20 is sloped downward at each end to meet with the groove 20 thereby uniting into the grooves o and 17., corresponding to the single track ssections 0 and N. Against the face of the base plate 20 are secured face plates 21, 22 and 23 of non-magnetic metal such as brass, of which the plate 22 is shaped as shown in Figs. 1A and 4 to receive the miniature switch points 24 and 25, which switch points are pivoted at 26 and 27 to connect respectively the single track section it to either the main track or the side track of the miniature passing siding p5, and also to connect the single track section 0 to either the main track or the side track of the miniature passing siding 10s. The face plates 21, 22 and 23 are of such Width that the slot formed between them is narrower than are the grooves 20 and 20 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In these grooves operate the miniature trains or tokens comprising a front plate 30, a back plate 30 a web 30- connecting the front plate and the back plate, and a soft iron armature 31, suitably fastened to the back of the back plate 30 (See Figs. 2 and 3.)

Directly back of each of the slots formed by the spaced relation of the face plates 21, 22 and 23, is a series of magnets M spaced apart as shown in Figs. 1A and 4 of the drawings, each of which magnets comprises a core 32 surrounded by an insulating sleeve 33 on which is contained a coil 34, the rear end of the core 32 being threaded into holes in the back plate 35 constructed of soft iron. This back plate 35 is held in place in any suitable manner as by screws 36 threaded into the base plate 20. (See Fig. 2.)

The system under consideration may be applied to a centralized traflic control system of either the separate line wire type, such as shown in the prior application of S. N. Wight Ser. No. 120, l23, filed July 3, 1926, or to a duplex coded centralized trafiic controlling system, such as shown in the prior application of N. D. Preston and B. Hitchcock, Ser. No. 455,304, filed May 24, 1930, but for convenience a system of the separate line wire type has been illustrated. In other words, the switch machine relays SW and SW have been shown controlled by the levers SML and SML through the medium of the wires 38 and 39, the relays DR and DR have been shown controlled by the levers SL and SL through the medium of the wires 40 and 41, and the relays SR and SR have been shown controlled by the contacts 42 and 43 of the levers SL and SL respectively, and through the medium of the wires 44 and 45, but may if desired be controlled by a suitable selector system requiring fewer line wires. Similarly, the normally deenergized indicating relay IR which controls the illumination of the indicating lamp OS is controlled through the medium of the wire 45 and the back contact 4'? of the detector track relay DT, and the indicating relay 1R controlling the illumination of the indicating lamp 08 is controlled through the medium of the line wire 48 and the back contact l9 of the detector track relay DT In order to successively energize the magnets M, a series of stepping relays A, B, C and D have been provided, which steeping relays when initiated will be successively energized and effect successive energization of these magnets M through suitable circuits more specifically described hereinafter. These stepping relays A, B, C and D are initiated and stopped through the medium of control relays CR and CR and a slow-acting relay SR, all in a manner more particularly described hereinafter.

In addition to the apparatus already described,

there are also provided a main track direction relay MDR and a side track direction relay SDR. These relays MDR and SDR are preferably relays of the two coil type, which are constructed to have their contacts assume their pendent position when neither of the two coils of the relays is energized, to assume one extreme position when one coil is energized, to assume the other extreme position when only the other coil thereof is energized, and to assume the position of the first coil energized when both coils have successively had current applied thereto, which current is maintained on both coils.

Having now described the various elements of this system, it is deemed expedient to take up the operation of the system by assuming certain train movements on the railway system shown in Fig. 1B, and then considering the circuits for propelling the miniature trains or tokens in accordance with the position of the levers and the condition of detector track circuit train occupancy.

Operation Let us assume that the token T is moving eastwardly in the single track section n of the miniature track layout, in response to an east bound train numbered 65 in the single track section N. Let us further assume that the operator wishes this train 65 to pass through the main track of the passing siding PS into the single track section 0, and that in order to do so he moves the signal lever SL toward the right, thereby causing current of plus polarity to be applied to the signal relay SR and to the direc- I 3 tion relay DR, thus causing the east bound main signal 8 to be cleared. The movement of the lever SL to its right hand east bound position closes the following circuit for the magnet coil 50: Beginning at the positive terminal B of a suitable battery, wire 51, coil 50, wire 52, contact 53 of the lever SL, wire 54, back contact 55 of the indicating relay IR, and to a common return wire C connected to the other terminal of said battery. The flow of current in this circuit prevents the token T from passing the magnet coil 50, for it will be held there so long as this coil is energized irrespective of intermittent energization of adjacent coils. As the train 65 passed its last detector track circuit, namely the detector track circuit at the west end of the single track section N, the stepping relays A, B, C and D were initiated and were successively energized in the order A, B, C and D for reasons which will be explained hereinafter, and thereby energized the magnets 56, 62, '70 and 76 in the order given.

While the relay A is momentarily energized the coil 56 will be momentarily energized through the following circuit:beginning at the terminal B of suitable battery, front contact 57 of the relay A, wires 58 and 59, lever contact 60, wire 61, coil 56, contact 16 of the signal lever SL to the right, wire 18, contact 19 of the lever SL, to the common return wire C connected to 3;

the other side of said battery. Similarly, the coil 62 is energized through the following circuit:-beginning at the terminal plus, front contact 63 of the relay B, wires 6% and 66, lever contact 67, wire 68, coil 62, contact 16 of lever SL wire 18, contact 19 of lever SL, and to the common return wire C. Further, the coil'lfi is next momentarily energized through the following circuit:beginning at the terminal B, front contact 71 of the relay C, wires 72 and 73, lever contact 74, wire 75, coil 70, contact 16 of signal lever SL, wire 18, contact 19, and to the common return wire C. And, the coil 76 is next momentarily energized through the following circuit:-beginning at the terminal B, front contact 77 of the relay D, wires 78 and '79, lever contact 80, wire 81, coil 76, contact 16, wire 18, contact 19, and to the common return wire C. It is thus noted that the two levers SL and SL must assume corresponding positions to effect.

energization of the coils 56, 62, 70 and 76, and that the order in which they are sequentially energized depends on the position of lever SL and SL, as appears more fully below. As soon as the coil 76 which is only momentarily energized is again deenergized, the token T will be attracted by the magnet 50, and since this magnet 50 is energized so long as the indicating relay IR is deenergized, the token T will remain at that location.

It may be pointed out here at this time that there are just as many magnet coils on the side track of the passing siding as there are on the main track of the passing siding, and this has been done purposely, because the turns on the various magnetic coils are alternately arranged oppositely, so that while any two adjacent magnets are energized simultaneously, one of these will have its south pole at the top and the other will have a north pole at the top, as indicated by the letters S and N, so that a closed magnetic circuit is formed. It isof course understood that if only one coil is energized, two magnetic circuits will be formed, each magnetic circuit having the core of the energized coil in common.

- The train 65 is now moving eastwardly in the single track section N and in response to the signal 8 at clear will proceed into the main track of the passing siding PS. When this train treads upon the detector track circuit containing the track relay DT the contact 47 of this track relay will be closed, thereby picking up the indicating relay IR through a circuit readily traced in the drawings and including the line wire 46. Picking up of the indicating relay IR will close a circuit for the lamp OS which includes a front contact 55 of this relay IR and the wire 83. Also, picking up of this relay IR closes a pick-up circuit for the control relays CR and CR which which may be traced as follows:beginning at the terminal 13, of a suitable battery, wire 84, front contact of the relay IR, wires 86 and 87, winding of the relay CR, wire 88, winding of the control relay CR wires 89 and 90 to the common return wire C connected to the other terminal of said battery. When these relays CR and CR have been picked up they will be stuck up through the following stick circuitsz-(l) beginning at the terminal B, wire 91, back contact 92 of the stepping relay D, wire 93, front stick contact 94 of the relay CR, wires 95 and 87, winding of the control relay CR, wire 88, winding of the control relay CR wires 89 and 90 to the common return wire C; and (2) beginning at the terminal B, Wire 96, back contact 97 of the stepping relay C, wire 98, stick contact 99 of the control relay CR lower winding of this control relay CR wires 100 and 90 to the common return wire C.

With the control relay CR picked up the stepping relay A is energized through the following circuitz-beginning at the terminal B, wires 101 and 102, back contact 103 of the relay SR, wire 104, front contact 105 of the control relay CR wire 106, back contact 107 of the relay A, wire 108, back contact 109 of the relay B, wire 110, back contact 111 of the relay C, wire 112, back contact 113 of the relay D, wires 114 and 115, lower winding of the stepping relay A, wire 116 and contact 121 and back point to the common return wire C connected to the other terminal of said battery.

With the stepping relay A picked up it is stuck up through the following stick circuit:beginning at the terminal B, wires 101, 117 and 118, front stick contact 119 of the relay A, wire 120, upper winding of the relay A, wire 116, back contact 121 of the relay B, to the common return wire C. Picking up of the relay A in addition to its energizing certain of the magnets M, also closes the following energizing circuit for the relay SR:beginning at the terminal B, wire 123, front contact 124 of the relay CR wire 125, from contact 1260f the relay A, wires 127 and 128, winding of the relay SR, to the common return wire C.

With the relay SR picked up, this relay being rather slow acting, the stepping relay B is energized through the following circuit:--beginning at the common return Wire C, wire 129, front contact 103 of the relay SR, wire 104, front contact 105 of the relay CR wire 106, front contact 107 of the relay A, wire 130, lower winding of the relay B, wire 131, back contact 132 of the relay C, wires 133, 117 and 101, to the terminal B. 105 The closure of this circuit will pick up the relay B, thereby opening its back contact 121 which results in deenergization of the relay A, from which it appears that relays A and B are both up for a short time thereby resulting in an overlapped energization of two adjacent magnetic coils of the miniature track layout, under which condition the token T would assume a position mid-way between these two adjacent coils.

Also, deenergization of the stepping relay A breaks the energizing circuit for the relay SR thereby dropping the contact 103 to its lower position in which the following pick-up circuit is closed for the relay C:-beginning at the terminal B, wires 101 and 102, back contact 103 of the relay SR, this relay SR having been deenergized by dropping of the relay A, wire 104, front contact 105 of the relay CR wire 106, back contact 107 of the relay A, wire 108, front contact 109 of the relay B, wire 134, lower winding of the relay 0, wire 135, back contact 122 of the relay D, to the common return wire C. The closure of this pick-up circuit effects energization of the relay C thereby deenergizing the relay B by lifting of its contact 132. Also, with the relay C energized it is stuck up through its stick contact 132, through wire 136, the upper winding of the relay C, wire 135 and. back contact 122 of the relay D. Also, the picking up of the relay C closes its contact 137, thereby again energizing the relay SR through wire 123, contact 124, wire 125, back contact 126, wire 138, contact 137, wires 139 and 128, winding of the relay SR to the common return wire C.

With the relay SR now picked up the stepping relay D is picked up through the following pickup circuit:beginning at the common return wire C, wire 129, front contact 103 of the relay SR, wire 104, contact 105, wire 106, contact 107, wire 108, contact 109, wire 110, front contact 111 of the relay C, wire 140, lower winding of the relay D, wire 141, back contact 119 of the relay A, wires 118, 117 and 101 to the terminal B. Picking up of the relay D will of course close its stick circuit including its stick contact 122,

wire 142 and its upper winding, and also lifting of its contact 122 breaks the stick circuit for the stepping relay C, so that its contact 137 is opened and the slow acting relay SR is again deenergized. With the relay SRnow againdeenergized, and with the relay D stuck up, the pick-up circuit for the relay A, heretofore traced, is again closed thereby effecting energization of the relay A, and by the lifting of its contact 119 breaks the stick circuit for the relay D.

From this consideration of the apparatus it is apparent that so long as the control relay CR remains energized the stepping relays A, B, C and D will remain rotating, so to speak, that is, are continuously sequentially energized in rotation the relay A in each case following energization of the relay D. In this case it should be noted that in the event that the front contact 85 of relay IR and the front contact 85 of the relay IE1, or the remaining corresponding contacts of the system, are open, the control relay CR will be deenergized the first time that relay D is thereafter energized, this because the stick circuit for the control relay CR will be broken at the contact 92 of the relay D. With the relay CR once deenergized the upper winding of the relay CR is also deenergized, from which it appears that thereafter the first energization of the stepping relay C will break the stick circuit including the lower winding of the relay CR at the contact 97 of the stepping relay C. In other words, picking up of either of the relays IR and IE will effect picking up of the relay CR and CR and their pick-up circuit will remain closed so long as these relays IR and IR are up, (and that after IR or IR drops, two rotations of the stepping relays will be required to drop the relay CR and the stepping operation will cease as soon as the contact 105 of the control relay CR is open).

Let us now observe the effect that the picking up of the indicating relay IR has upon the token T, which has been held by the magnet coil until this relay IR picked up. Picking up of the relay IR will of course deenergize the. coil 50 and will cause successive energization of the coils 143, 144, 145, 146,147, 148, 149 and 150, because, with the main track directional relay MDR energized to the right through a circuit readily traced in the drawings and including the con,- tact '151 of the lever SL, and the contact 176 of the lever SML, one terminal of each of these coils is connected to the east bound bus, so identified by legend, through the medium of contacts 152, 153, 154 and 155 of the relay MDR.

The other terminals of these various coils are connected to the negative terminal of the battery through the following two branches:--(1) beginning at the common connection to the coils 143, 144, 145 and 146, through wire 156, contact 157 of the lever SML, wires 158 and 159, front contact 160 of the relay CR to; the common return wire C; and (2) beginning at, the

common connection of the coils 147, 148, 149 and,

150, wire 161, contact 162 of the switch machine lever SML, wire 163, contact 164 of the, relay MDR, wires 165 and 159, front contact 160 of the relay CR to the common return wire C. For west bound traffic, the west bound bus replaces the east bound bus.

From this consideration of the wiring of the coils 143 to 150, inclusive, and keeping in mind the energization of coils 56, .62, 70 and 76 sequentially as described above, it appears that the coils are energized in the direction-of 143, to-150, in

two simultaneous groups, and that coilsi 143 and 147 are energized simultaneously, 144 and, 148 are energized simultaneously, 145 and 149 are energized simultaneously, and 146 and 150 are energized simultaneously, so that the token will move from one coil to the other in an east bound direction. If the levers SL and SML at the east end of the miniature passing siding ps are in a position not to allow progress of the train 65, the coil 150 is the last one to be energized and the token will remain at that point. If, however, the lever SML assumes the main track position and the lever SL assumes the east bound position, in accordance with the route which, as assumed, has been set up, the signal 2 (see Fig. 13) will be clear and the train will be free to proceed into the single track section 0. Under this condition, it should be remembered, that the coil 170 (which corresponds to the coils 50, 170 and 50 will be permanently energized so long as the indicating relay 1R at the east end of this passing siding ps is deenergized, through the following circuit:- beginning at the common return wire C, back contact of the relay 1R1, wire 54 contact 53 of the lever SL assuming its right hand position, wire 171 contact 172. of the lever SML assuming its main track position, wire 173 through the coil 170 tothe terminal B.

As soon as the train under consideration accepts the signal 2 at clear and passes into the single track section 0 the detector track relay DT will be deenergized thereby effecting energlzation of the indicating relay 1R through the medium of the wire 48, and thereby illuminating the lamp 08 through the medium of front contact 55 and the wire 83 Also, lifting of the contact 85 of the relay IE will pick up the control relays CR and CR so that the stepping relays A, B, C and D will again be energized in rotation, as heretofore explained. Also, lifting of the contact 55 will interrupt the energizing circuit for the coil 170 and since the coils 146 145 144 and 143 will be energized in the order given, as explained above, in detail, for relays 56, 62, and 76, because they areconnected through the medium of contact 152, 153, 154 and 155 to the east bound bus, and with the coil 170. deenergized the successive magnetization of these magnets will carry the token T with them into the single track section 0.

It is of course understood that the wire 156 which is common to all of the coils 143 144 145 and 146 is connected through the medium of contact 157 of the lever SW wires 165 199, 165 and 159 and-front contact 169 of the relay CR to the common return wire C. We have thus seen how the token T whichidentifies the train 65 by a number 65 and the direction in which it is moving by the arrow carried by this token, has beencarried through the main track of the miniature passing siding 10s in accordance with the actual movement of the'train itself.

Let us now assume that the train 65 is assuming a position corresponding to the location of the coil 76, and that the operator wishes this train to pass into the side track of the passing siding, and in order to do so moves his lever SML to the dotted take-siding position. Under this condition the coil .50 is of course energized through the circuit heretofore tracedand including the back contact 55 of the indicating relay IR and the contact53 of the lever SL. With the switch machine lever SML, however, assumingthe takesidin position, the miniature track switch 24,

also assumes the take-siding position, because it is either mechanically operated as by lost motion as shown in the prior application to S. N. Wight, Ser. No. 257,643, filed February 28, 1928, or is electrically operated in accordance with the position of the lever or the position of the distant switch machine as shown in the prior application of Wight Ser. No. 431,748 filed February 27, 1930, so that the miniature switch 24 assumes the last extreme position assumed by the switch machine lever SML, as is also true of the miniature switch 24 with respect to the lever SML Under the condition assumed the siding direction relay SDR is energized through the following circuit:beginning at the terminal B, contact 151 of the signal lever SL assuming its right hand position, wire 175, contact 176 of the lever SML, wire 177, east bound coil of the siding direction relay SDR to the common return wire 0.

Also, with this lever SML assuming the takesiding position the common wire of the coils 181, 182, 183 and 184 is connected through the medium of the wire 185, contact 157 of the switch machine lever SML, wires 158 and 159, and contact 160 of the control relay CR to the common return wire C. Likewise, the other terminal of these coils 181, 182, 183 and 184 are connected through the medium of the contacts 186, 187, 188 and 189 of the siding direction relay SDR to the east bound bus, so indicated by a legend. Similarly, the

common connection to the coils 191, 192, 193 and 194 is connected through the medium of wire 195, contact 196 of the lever SML, wire 197, contact 198 of the relay SDR, and wires 199, 165 and 159, and contact 160 of the relay CR to the common return wire C. Further, the other terminals of these coils 191, 192, 193 and 194 are connected to the positive terminal of the battery through the medium of the east bound bus, this by reason of the fact that the contacts 186, 187, 188 and 189 of the relay SDR assume their east bound position.

If these various coils 181, 182, 183, 184, 191, 192, 193 and. 194 were to be sequentially energized in pairs, as described above for 143--150 inclusive, in the east bound direction as could well happen by reason of the fact that some other indicating relay had been initiated due to operation of the stepping relays A, B, C and D, the miniature train or token T would still remain in position over the coil 50, because this coil is still continuously energized and, as explained above, the token is retained thereby until it becomes de-energized. For this reason the stepping relays may in fact be continuously operated in rotation, and if desired the relays CR, CR and SR may be omitted. As soon as, however, the indicating relay IR picks up the. energizing circuit for the coil 50 is broken, and with the miniature track switch 24 in the take siding position the slot is shifted so that the token may follow its movement over the coils 181, 182, 183 and 184 into the siding where it will be advanced by successive energization of the coils 191, 192, 193 and 194. In this connection it is desired to point out that during east bound movement of trains on the passing siding the token will jump from the coil 184 to the coil 191 over the deenergized coil 180, which is also true of the coil 170 on the main track, but for west bound traffic, as has been pointed out in connection with east bound trafiic over the coil 170 these coils 170 and 180 will hold the token T in position until the indicating relay IR is energized, at which time it will allow the west bound token to proceed out the main track or the siding, as the case may be.

What has just been said about coils 170 and 180 for east bound traiiic is also true of coil 50 for west bound traific.

Let us now assume that the train 65 is moving in an eastwardly direction in the single track section N, and another train is moving westwardly in the single track section 0, and that the operator has moved his levers SL and SL to the right and has moved his levers SL and SL toward the left, and he has left the switch machine lever SML in the main track position but has operated the switch machine lever SML to the dotted take-siding position. It is thus apparent that the main direction relay MDR is energized to its right hand position and the siding direction relay SDR is energized to its left hand position, from which it will appear that the magnets 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 146 145 144 and 143 will be successively energized in the order given upon a rotary operation of the relays A, B, C, D and E, and that the coils 181 182 183 184 194, 193, 192, 191, 184, 183, 182 and 181 will be successively energized in the order given by such rotary operation of the relays A, B, C and D. Furthermore, it will be. understood from these circuits heretofore described that the coil 50 will hold the token corresponding to the train 65 in position over the coil 50 until the indicating relay IR is energized manifesting the movement of the train over the track switch S and that it will be deenergized and allowthe token to move to the coil 170 where it will be held until the indicating relay IR is deenergized at a time when the lever SL assumes its right hand position, and that the token corresponding to said another train will be held by the coil 50 until the indicating relay IR is energized with the lever SL in its left hand position, as is now the case. In other words, with the levers assuming the position as heretofore assumed the two tokens can move upon the main track and the side track respectively, and will be held there until the signal levers at the two ends of the sidings are reversed, in response to which these tokens will move oil of the main track and the side track, respectively, as soon as the indicating relays corresponding to the end of the siding from which these trains are to depart are energized.

It is of course understood that the particular train token and miniature track lay-out illustrated is only one embodiment of the present invention, and that many different designs of apparatus may be evolved within the scope of the present invention. For instance, although it is contemplated that the miniature track lay-out illustrated will assume a vertical position, and that if desired the track lay-out may be located horizontally in which event it will not be necessary for the tokens to be moved up an incline as they move in or out of a passing siding, as the case maybe, as they now do.

Having thus shown and described one specific embodiment of the present invention it is desired to be understood that the particular design and circuit arrangement illustrated has been selected for the purpose of exemplifying the present invention and facilitating description of its operating characteristics, and that it has not been selected for the purpose of illustrating the exact construction preferably employed in practicing the invention or for the purpose of showing the scope of the invention, and that various modifications, changes and additions may be made to adapt the invention to the particular system in connection with which the invention is to be used, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention except as demanded by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim as new is:-

1. In an animated track diagram, the combi nation with a railway system, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track, a direction lever for controlling wayside signals to control the direction of train movement, indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train, and means for propelling said tokens in accordance with the condition of said indicating means and said lever.

2. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track, a direction lever for controlling wayside signals to control the direction of train movement, indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train, and electro-magnetic means for propelling said tokens in accordance with the condition of said indicating means and said lever.

B. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track, a direction signal lever for controlling the direction of train movement, indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train, and electro-magnetic stepby-step means for propelling said token in accordance with the condition of said indicating means and said lever.

4. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track, step-by-step apparatus for successively closing a plurality of contacts, a, direction lever for controlling the direction of train movement; indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train past a particular point on said system; and means for propelling said tokens in accordance with the indicating condition of said indicating means, the position of said lever and the closure of said contacts.

5. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said relay system, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track, a series of electro-magnets associated with said miniature track layout so associated therewith that successive energization of said magnets will propel said tokens in a direction depending on the order of energization of said magnets, step-by-step means for successively closing a plurality of contacts, a lever for controlling the direction of train movement on said system, an indicator for indicating the passage of a train by a particular point on said system, and means for connecting said magnets in energizing circuits with said contacts in accordance with the condition of said indicating means and the position of said lever.

6. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system including a diverging route connected to the main route by a railway track switch, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system and having a miniature track switch corresponding to said railway track switch, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track in accordance with the position of said miniature track switch, a switch lever for controlling said railway track switch and said miniature track switches, a direction lever for controlling the direction of train movement, indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train, and means for propelling said token in accordance with the condition of said indicating means and the positions of said switch lever and direction lever.

7'. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system including a diverging route connected to the main route by a railway track switch, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system and having a miniature track switch corresponding to said railway track switch, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track in accordance with the position of said miniature track switch, a switch lever for'controlling said railway track switch and said miniature track switch, a direction lever for controlling the direction of train movement, indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train, and electromagnetic means for propelling said tokens in accordance with the condition of said indicating means and the positions of said switch lever and direction lever.

8. In an animated track diagram, the combination with a railway system including a diverging route connected to the main route by a railway track switch, of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system and having a miniature track switch corresponding to said railway track switch, tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track in accordance with the position of said miniature track switch, a switch lever for controlling said railway track switch and said miniature track switch, a direction lever for controlling the direction of train movement, indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train, and electro magnetic step-by-step means for propelling said tokens in accordance with the condition of said indicating means, the position of said switch lever and the position of said direction lever.

9. In an animated track diagram; the combination with a railway system including a diverging route connected to the main route by a railway track switch; of a miniature track layout corresponding in every respect to said railway system and having a miniature track switch corresponding to said railway track switch; tokens representing trains movable over said miniature track in accordance with the position of said miniature track switch; step-by-step apparatus for successively closing a plurality of contacts; a direction lever for controlling the direction of train movement, a switch lever for controlling said railway track switch and said miniature track switch; indicating means for manifesting the passage of a train by a particular point on said system; and means'for propelling said tokens in accordance with the indicating condition of said indicating means, the positions of said switch lever and said direction lever and the closure of said contacts.

10. In an animated track diagram; the combination with a railway system including a diverging route connected to main route by a railway track switch; of a miniature track lay-out corresponding in every respect to said railway system and having a miniature track switch correspondfor controlling the direction of train movement on said system; an indicator for indicating the passage of a train by a particular point on said system; a switch lever; and means for connecting said magnets in energizing circuits with said contacts to energize said magnets in accordance with the condition of said indicating means, the position of said switch lever and the position of said direction lever.

HOWARD O. SNYDER. 

